When pursuing a successful car accident claim against a negligent driver’s insurance carrier, you need evidence. Without proof, it’s your words against the negligent driver. The more evidence you gather, the greater the chances of proving the negligent driver’s liability. If you have been in an Atlanta auto crash, you are probably searching for the “best car accident lawyer near me” to improve your chances of winning.
Accident lawyers know that gathering evidence against an at-fault driver begins at the crash scene. Almost every collision leaves behind vital pieces of evidence at the scene that can help prove the at-fault driver’s liability. For example, tire marks left on the road can help measure the speed traveled by the other driver before impact.
We cannot overemphasize the importance of seeking legal help after a crash. Having a lawyer by your side can make a difference between maximizing your compensation or bearing the loss from the wreck. In addition, they will gather all key pieces of evidence to prove that negligence occurred.
This article elaborates on the importance of tire marks to your accident claim and how they can be used as evidence.
What Are Tire Marks?
Again, all road traffic accidents leave some physical evidence of what happened. This evidence can be photographed, inspected, measured, and documented immediately and after the crash, to preserve them. However, one form of valuable evidence often overlooked during auto accident investigations is tire marks.
But first, what are tire marks?
Tire marks are visible marks on the road resulting from friction caused by vehicle tires locked in position by brakes. Generally, different types of tire marks are associated with traffic accident investigations. They include yaw marks, skid marks, scuff marks made by acceleration, flat tires, rotating tires or imprints in the pavement or land areas, road scars or debris, etc.
Insurance companies will do everything possible to avoid paying accident victims the compensation they are entitled to. Without supporting your accident claim with valuable evidence, you will be chasing a lost cause. They may argue that you are totally or partially at fault for the crash.
So to successfully pursue your claim, all pieces of evidence must come together. This includes physical evidence from the accident scene, medical reports, photographs, videos, witness statements, expert testimony, etc.
Understanding Tire Marks as a Valuable Piece of Evidence
We advise that victims of an auto crash should call the police immediately when a collision occurs. When the police arrive at the accident scene, they document the details of the accident. Then, by observing the tire marks, they can determine that the crash was caused by negligence. Their findings will be documented in a police crash report which you can use for your case.
However, this report is not always sufficient to provide supporting evidence for your claim. Hence, you must consult a lawyer who can conduct further investigation into your case. Your lawyer will hire accident reconstruction experts to examine the crash scene thoroughly.
Properly identifying tire marks is an important aspect of an accident investigation. Skid marks will be left on the road when a speeding driver suddenly hits the brake during an impending accident. A specific vehicle action produces each tire mark during the collision.
With tire marks, accident reconstructionists can figure out what happened leading up to the collision. They can determine the point of impact (POI) or an area of impact (AOI). Accident reconstruction involves using scientific and analytic processes to create a report. To achieve this:
- The experts will start with the ending locations of all vehicles involved.
- Then, they will work backward to find out what happened.
- They will evaluate all damage, the accident scene, vehicle speed, and weather conditions.
- Finally, they will record all visible skid marks.
Your lawyer can rely on this report when building a solid accident case for you. This is because you must prove that you were not responsible for the injuries and losses from the collision.
Doing this is crucial when negotiating a settlement for your injuries and losses with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. So you must seek immediate legal representation to protect your rights to financial compensation.
Can Tire Marks Determine How an Auto Collision Occurred?
Yes, tire marks can determine how an auto crash occurred. During an accident investigation, the expert can measure the length of the skid marks on the road. Then, from their findings, they can paint a picture of what exactly happened before the crash.
They can determine the speed at which the vehicle traveled and how long it took the driver to stop. While this may not always prove how the crash occurred, it can help provide supporting evidence.
Examples of ways tire marks are used for establishing negligence in an auto collision include:
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No Tire Marks But Significant Damage
Where no tire marks are left on the accident scene following a collision, it indicates that the negligent driver did not attempt to stop before colliding with another vehicle. This scenario is common in drunk driving incidents, driving while impaired, brake failure, fatigue driving, or distracted driving.
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Short Tire Marks
Short tire marks indicate that the negligent driver attempted to stop the vehicle before impact. However, they had little or no time or distance to prevent the vehicle collision from happening. This is usually common with distracted drivers.
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Long Streaks of Tire Marks
Long skid marks on the road indicate that the driver was speeding and attempted to stop but could not avoid colliding with another vehicle.
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Curvy, Circular, or Wavy Tire Marks
These tire marks can help identify that the negligent driver lost control of their vehicle and veered off the road. For example, this can result from the driver accelerating too quickly, irresponsible driving in dangerous weather conditions, or slippery roads.
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Tire Marks That Cross Into Other Lanes
Tire marks spread across opposing lanes indicate that the other driver left their own lane and crossed into another. It can also show that the driver suffered a tire blowout, which led to the crash.
Injured in a Car Accident? Stop Searching for the Best Car Accident Lawyer Near Me and Contact The Weinstein Firm
Nobody sets out to get involved in a catastrophic auto accident. But unfortunately, accidents occur often, especially in the busy city of Atlanta. If you or someone close to you is injured in an auto crash, we encourage you to seek immediate legal help.
However, you need evidence to get the justice and compensation you deserve. At The Weinstein Firm, we will help you compile all critical evidence, including tire marks, to build a solid case.
Additionally, we will evaluate how much compensation you are entitled to and fight to recover them. So reach out to our top personal injury attorneys to begin your case today.
